Don Steenkamp snr has died following a recent stroke

Don Steenkamp, father of Deon Steenkamp who was murdered with his family on their farm near Griekwastad on Good Friday last year, has died.

Don Steenkamp (80), father of Deon Steenkamp (44) who was murdered with his family on their farm near Griekwastad on Good Friday last year, has died.

Don snr had had three strokes since the murder of his son, daughter-in-law Christel (43) and granddaughter Marthella (14). He spent more than a week in intensive care at Mediclinic Kimberley before he died on Wednesday night.

His wife, Bettie (86), told YOU on Sunday that she believed and was praying that her husband of 58 years would survive. At that stage he couldn’t speak or swallow and the right side of his body was paralysed.

Marianna Smith, the Steenkamps’ daughter, says her father always took care of his health, but after the family tragedy on the farm Naauwhoek it was as if he’d accepted his time was running out.

Don jnr (16), the only survivor of the tragedy, visited his granddad regularly in hospital. His granny says her husband was very close to his namesake. “He [Don jnr] is all we have left."

Don snr will be buried from the NG Church Vooruitsig in Kimberley.

Read this week’s YOU for the full interview with Don’s wife, Bettie Steenkamp.